Sample analyzer

ABSTRACT

The sample analyzer comprises a transporting device for transporting a rack for holding a plurality of containers containing samples respectively and having a recording part in which identifying information has been recorded that identifies the rack, a reading device for reading the identifying information from the recording part of the transported rack, an aspirating device including an aspirating tube for aspirating the sample from the container, a controller for controlling the operation of the aspirating device based on the identifying information read by the reading device, and an analyzing device for analyzing a measurement sample that includes the aspirated sample.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 to Japanese PatentApplication No. 2006-223120 filed Aug. 18, 2006, the entire content ofwhich is hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a sample analyzer.

BACKGROUND

Conventional sample analyzers are known which are provided withaspirating device that includes an aspirating tube for aspirating asample from a container that contains the sample (blood collectiontube). Various types of containers which have different internaldiameters, external diameters, and lengths are used as containers insuch sample analyzers. Since the containers (blood collection tubes)used in individual hospitals differ, testing laboratories that analyzesamples received from many hospitals must be capable of handling thesevarious types of containers.

However, when the containers have different shapes, it becomes necessaryto manage the depth to which the aspirating tube is inserted whenaspirating samples from the containers since the position of the bottomof the container and the cross section area of the surface level willdiffer. Sample analyzers have been proposed which are configured tohandle containers (blood sample collection tubes) of various shapes (forexample, refer to Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication Nos. 2001-264340and H6-94729, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,985,215).

In the sample analyzer disclosed in Japanese Laid-Open PatentPublication No 2001-264340, a barcode reader reads the informationidentifying the type of container from a barcode adhered to thecontainer, and changes the insertion depth of the aspirating tube inaccordance with the type of container.

In the sample analyzer disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,985,215, a containershape discriminating unit identifies the shape of the container, and thesample material is pipetted by a pipetting mechanism selected inaccordance with the shape of the sample container. This container shapediscriminating unit includes a plurality of light emitting diode arraysarranged at different heights, and an a plurality of photodiode arraysarranged at different heights. The height and width of a container aredetected from the time and height the optical path is blocked by thecontainer transported at a constant speed between the light emittingdiodes and photodiodes.

The sample analyzer disclosed in Japanese Laid-Open Patent PublicationNo. H6-94729, has a plurality of types of containers of differentheights arranged in a starting yard (initial position), and a containershape discriminating unit detects the height of the containers disposedin the starting yard. Identifying information (in a barcode) attached tothe sample container is read according to the type of sample containerwhich is recognized by height, and the respective sample containers areallocated to a plurality of sample analyzers. This container shapediscriminating unit identifies the type of container by the height atwhich the container gripped by a transporting robot that holds thecontainer at the starting yard.

However, in the sample analyzer disclosed in Japanese Laid-Open PatentPublication No. 2001-264340, since the information identifying the typeof container is not normally included in the barcode adhered to thecontainer at each of the hospitals that collect samples, a barcode thatincludes information identifying the type of container must be adheredat the testing laboratory. This replacing and re-adhering of the barcodetherefore reduces testing efficiency.

In the sample analyzer disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,985,215, thestructure of the analyzer is complicated due to the provision of thecontainer shape discriminating unit that includes a plurality of lightemitting diode arrays arranged at different heights, and an a pluralityof photodiode arrays arranged at different heights.

In the sample analyzer disclosed in Japanese Laid-Open PatentPublication No. H6-94729, the structure of the analyzer is complicateddue to the provision of a container shape discriminating unit configuredto detect the type of container by the height at which a transportingrobot grips the container disposed in the starting yard.

BRIEF SUMMARY

The scope of the present invention is defined solely by the appendedclaims, and is not affected to any degree by the statements within thissummary.

The first aspect of the present invention relates to a sample analyzercomprising a transporting device for transporting a rack for holding aplurality of containers containing samples respectively, the rackcomprising a recording part in which identifying information foridentifying the rack is recorded, a reading device for reading theidentifying information from the recording part of the rack transportedby the transporting device, an aspirating device comprising anaspirating tube for aspirating the sample from the container, acontroller for controlling the operation of the aspirating device basedon the identifying information read by the reading device, and ananalyzing part for analyzing the sample aspirated by the aspiratingdevice.

The second aspect of the present invention relates to a sample analyzercomprising a communication device for receiving identifying informationfor identifying a rack for holding a plurality of containers containingsamples respectively, an aspirating device comprising an aspirating tubefor aspirating the sample from the container, a controller forcontrolling operation of the aspirating device based on the identifyinginformation received by the communication device, and an analyzing partfor analyzing the sample aspirated by the aspirating device.

The third aspect of the present invention relates to a sample analyzercomprising a transporting device for transporting a rack for holding aplurality of containers containing samples respectively, the rackcomprising a recording part in which identifying information foridentifying the containers held by the rack is recorded, a readingdevice for reading the identifying information from the recording partof the rack transported by the transporting device, an aspirating devicecomprising an aspirating tube for aspirating the sample from thecontainer, a controller for controlling the operation of the aspiratingdevice based on the identifying information read by the reading device,and an analyzing part for analyzing the sample aspirated by theaspirating device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the general structure of an embodimentof the sample analyzer of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the general structure of an embodimentof the sample analyzer of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a top view of the general structure of an embodiment of thesample analyzer of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of the transporting device,sensor, and barcode reader of the embodiment of the sample analyzer ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of the transporting device,sensor, and barcode reader of the embodiment of the sample analyzer ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a blood collection tube containingsample;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a rack used in the embodiment of thesample analyzer of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing blood collection tubes loaded in arack;

FIG. 9 is a schematic view of an auxiliary device of the embodiment ofthe sample analyzer of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a block diagram of the control device and control board of anembodiment of the sample analyzer of the present invention;

FIG. 11 illustrates the setting screen displayed on the display deviceof the control device;

FIG. 12 is a flow chart illustrating the analyzing operation of theembodiment of the sample analyzer of the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a flow chart illustrating the aspirating operation of theembodiment of the sample analyzer of the present invention;

FIG. 14 is a cross section view of a blood collecting tube illustratingthe stopping range in which the fluid level sensor is stopped;

FIG. 15 is a cross section view of a blood collection tube illustratingthe normal range and lower limit position of a sample; and

FIG. 16 is a cross section view of a blood collecting tube illustratingthe amount by which the pipette descends.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The embodiments of the present invention are described hereinafter basedon the drawings.

FIGS. 1 through 3 show the general structure of an embodiment of thesample analyzer of the present invention. FIGS. 4 and 5 are enlargedperspective views that center on the transporting device of theembodiment of the sample analyzer of the present invention. FIGS. 6through 8 show the blood collecting tubes and racks used in theembodiment of the sample analyzer of the present invention. FIGS. 9through 11 illustrate details of the embodiment of the sample analyzerof the present invention. FIGS. 1 through 11 illustrate the structure ofa sample analyzer 1, an embodiment of the present invention.

The embodiment of the sample analyzer 1 optically measures and analyzesthe amount and activity of specific substances found in blood related tocoagulation and fibrinolysis, and uses blood plasma as a sample. In thesample analyzer 1 of the present embodiment, coagulation time of a bloodsample is measured by optically measuring the blood sample using thecoagulation time method, synthetic substrate method, immunoturbiditymethod, and platelet aggregation method.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the sample analyzer 1 is configured by atransporting device 2, barcode reader 3 disposed near the transportingdevice 2, transmission type sensor 4, detecting device 5, and a controldevice 6 which is electrically connected to the detecting device 5. Thetransporting device 2, barcode reader 3, sensor 4, and detecting device5 are controlled by a control board 7 provided within the detectingdevice 5 (refer to FIG. 3).

The transporting device 2 has the function of transporting a rack 201loaded with a plurality (ten, in the present embodiment) of bloodcollection tubes 200 containing blood samples to the aspirating positionP (refer to FIG. 3). Furthermore, the transport device 2 has a rack setregion 2 a that accommodates the racks 201 that hold the test tubes 200containing unprocessed blood samples, a sample aspirating region 2 b forperforming the sample aspirating operation, and a rack receiving region2 c that accommodates the racks 201 that hold test tubes 200 containingprocessed blood samples. The rack set region 2 a and rack receivingregion 2 c are respectively capable of accommodating five racks 201. Asshown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the rack set region 2 a is provided with slots 2e in which a pair of slidable hook members 2 d slide in the arrow Adirection to transport a rack 201 that has been placed in the rack setregion 2 a to the sample aspirating region 2 b. When placed in the rackset region 2 a, a rack 201 is pushed by the pair of hook members 2 d andtransported in the arrow A direction. The sample aspirating region 2 bis provided with a pair of slots 2 g which house a pair of rack members2 f, and a guide 2 h for guiding the movement of the rack 201 in thesample aspirating region 2 b. The pair of rack members 2 f function totransport the rack 201 in the arrow B direction a single bloodcollection tube at a time by engaging a plurality of concavities (notshown in the drawing) provided on the bottom surface of the rack 201.The rack receiving region 2 c is provided with an extruding member 2 iwhich is slidable in the arrow C direction. When transported from thesample aspirating region 2 b to the rack receiving region 2 c, a rack201 is pushed in the arrow C direction by the extruding member 2 i. Thisconfiguration prevents jamming of a subsequent following rack 201.

In the present embodiment, the barcode reader 3 is provided to read thebarcodes 200 a and 201 a that are respectively adhered to the bloodcollection tube 200 and rack 201. The barcode reader 3 is mounted so asto be slidable on a slide rail 5 a provided on the side surface of thedetecting device 5 on the transporting device 2 side. The barcode reader3 reads the barcodes 200 a and 201 a respectively adhered to each bloodcollecting tube 200 and rack 201 as the rack slides along. This aspectwill be described in detail later.

The blood collection tube 200 and the rack 201, which holds the bloodcollection tubes 200, are described below. The blood collection tube 200contains a sample (blood) collected at a hospital or the like. As shownin FIG. 6, a barcode 200 a is adhered to the blood collection tube 200.The barcode 200 a includes information on the collected sample (blood),and information on the patient from whom the sample was collected. Bloodcollection tubes 200 come in various types which have different lengths,bottom heights, and diameters. In the present embodiment, the operationof a sample dispensing arm 30, which is described later, is controlledin conjunction with the type of blood collection tube 200. The bloodcollection tube 200 may be covered by a cap 200 b. The presentembodiment is configured so as to aspirate a sample by differentaspirating operations depending on whether or not the collection tube200 is provided with a cap 200 b.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the rack 201 is provided with ten holders 201b. Each of the ten holders 201 b respectively accommodates a singleblood collection tube 200. When the blood collection tube 200 is smallerthan the holder 201 b, an adapter (not shown in the drawings) can beused to accommodate the blood collection tube 200 so that the tube isstable while held. The holders 201 b of the rack 201 are provided withopenings 201 c for the barcode reader 3 to read the barcode of the bloodcollection tube 200, as shown in FIG. 8.

In the present embodiment, the barcode 201 a (refer to FIG. 8), whichidentifies the type of blood collection tube 200 containing the sample,is adhered to the rack 201. A user loads the rack 201 so that only a onetype of blood collection tube 200 corresponding to the value of thebarcode 201 a is loaded in a single rack 201. That is, the type of bloodcollection tube 2300 loaded in the rack 201 is identified when thebarcode reader 3 reads the value of the barcode 201 a. Thecorrespondence between the value of the barcode 201 a and the type ofblood collection tube 200 can be set by the control device 6. Thisaspect will be described in detail later.

As shown in FIGS. 3 through 5, the transmission type sensor 4 isprovided to determine whether or not a cap 200 b is provided on theblood collection tube 200. The sensor 4 is provided above the sampleaspirating region 2 b. The sensor 4 includes a light emitting part (notshown in the drawings) and a light receiving part (not shown in thedrawings) provided in opposition so as to interpose therebetween theopen part and the cap 200 b of the blood collection tube 200. When theblood collection tube 200 is provided with a cap 200 b, the lightreceiving part does not receive the light emitted from the lightemitting part because the light is blocked by the cap. When the bloodcollection tube 200 is not provided with a cap 200 b, the lightreceiving part receives the light emitted from the light emitting part.Thus, the transmission type sensor 4 can determine whether or not a cap200 b is provided on the blood collection tube 200.

The detecting device 5 is capable of obtaining optical information of asupplied blood sample by optically measuring the blood sample suppliedfrom the transporting device 2. In the present embodiment, opticalmeasurement is performed on a blood sample dispensed into a cuvette 250(refer to FIG. 4) of the detecting device 5 from a blood collection tube200 loaded in a rack 201 of the transporting device 2. As shown in FIGS.1 and 2, the detecting device 5 is provided with a cuvette supplier 10,rotating part 20, sample dispensing arm 30, lamp unit 40, reagentdispensing arm 50, cuvette moving part 60, measuring part 70 (refer toFIG. 3), urgent sample acceptor 80 (refer to FIG. 3), and fluid part 90.

The cuvette supplier 10 is capable of sequentially supplying a pluralityof cuvettes 250 directly loaded by the user to the rotating part 20. Asshown in FIGS. 1 through 3, the cuvette supplier 10 includes a firsthopper 11 a, second hopper 11 b that is smaller than the first hopper 11a and is supplied cuvettes 250 from the first hopper 11 a (refer to FIG.3), two guide plates 12 for supplying cuvettes 250 from the secondhopper 11 b, support table 13 disposed below the bottom end of the twoguide plates 12, and catchers 14 provided at predetermined spacing fromthe support table 13. The cuvettes 250 within the first hopper 11 a movethrough the second hopper 11 b, which is smaller than the first hopper11 a, and fall from the top of the two guide plates 12 toward thesupport table 13. The support table 13 functions to rotate the cuvettes250 that have smoothly dropped along the guide plates 12 to a positionat which the cuvette 250 can be grabbed by the catcher 14. The catcher14 is provided to supply to the rotating part 20 those cuvettes 250which have been moved by the support table 13.

As shown in FIG. 3, the detecting device 5 is provided with a disposalhole 15 for disposing of the cuvettes 250, and a waste box 16 disposedbelow the disposal hole 15 at a predetermined distance from thepreviously mentioned catcher 174. The catcher 14 disposes of the cuvette250 on the cuvette transporting table 23 of the rotating part 20 throughthe disposal hole 15 and into the waste box 16. That is, the catcher 14both supplies and disposes of the cuvettes 250.

The rotating part 20 is provided to transport in a rotational directionthe cuvettes 250 supplied from the cuvette supplier 10, and reagentcontainers (not shown in the drawing) containing reagent for coagulatingthe blood sample. The rotating part 20 includes a circular reagent table21, and annular reagent table 22 which is disposed on the outer side ofthe circular reagent table 21, and an annular cuvette transporting table23 disposed on the outer side of the annular reagent table 22, as shownin FIG. 3. The cuvette transporting table 23, reagent table 21, andreagent table 22 are mutually and independently rotatable in bothclockwise and counterclockwise directions.

The reagent tables 21 and 22 include a plurality of holes 21 a and 22 aprovided at predetermined intervals along the circumferences of therespective reagent tables 21 and 22, as shown in FIG. 3. The holes 21 aand 22 a of the reagent tables 21 and 22 are provided for loading aplurality of reagent containers (not shown in the drawings) containingreagent for coagulating blood. The cuvette transporting table 23includes a plurality of cylindrical holders 23 a provided atpredetermined intervals along the circumference of the cuvette movingtable 23. The holder 23 a is provided to hold the cuvettes 250 suppliedfrom the cuvette supplier 10. A blood sample accommodated in a bloodcollection tube 200 held in a rack 201 loaded in the transporting device2 is dispensed by the sample dispensing arm 30 into a cuvette 250 heldin a holder 23 a of the cuvette transporting table 23.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the sample dispensing arm 30 functions toaspirate a blood sample in a blood collection tube 200 that has beentransported to the aspirating position P by the transporting device 2,and dispense the aspirated blood sample into a cuvette 250 that has beentransported by the cuvette transporting table 23 (refer to FIG. 3). Thesample dispensing arm 30 includes an arm 31, drive part 32 for drivingthe arm 31, pipette 33 mounted on the arm 31, and a fluid level sensor34 that includes a fluid surface board 34 a disposed on the top surfaceof the arm 31. The arm 31 is rotatable on a shaft 31 a via a drive part32, and is movable in vertical directions. The pipette 33 is made ofmetal and the tip of the pipette is cut at a sharply inclined angle.Thus, the pipette 33 can aspirate a blood sample even through a cap 200b when a cap 200 b is provided on the blood collection tube 200.Moreover, the metal pipette 33 is connected to the fluid level detectingboard 34 a by wiring (not shown in the drawings). Thus, the fluid levelcan be detected based on the change in electrostatic capacitance whenthe tip of the pipette 33 contacts the fluid surface.

In the present embodiment, an auxiliary device 35 is provided near thesample dispensing arm 31, as shown in FIGS. 3 through 5. The auxiliarydevice 35 has an engaging member 35 a which is slidable in the Edirection, and a drive part 35 b (refer to FIG. 9) which has a strongerdrive force than the drive part 32. The engaging member 35 a is movablein vertical direction via the drive force of the drive part 35 b. Whenthe transmission type sensor 4 has detected a cap 200 b provided on theblood collection tube 200, the engaging member 35 a engages the arm 31,and the arm 31 and pipette 33 descend via the drive force of the drivepart 35 b of the auxiliary device 35 which has a drive force that isstronger than the drive force of the drive part 32. The arm 31 and thepipette 33 descend through the cap 200 b via the drive force of thedrive part 35 b of the auxiliary device 35.

The lamp unit 40 is provided to supply the light used by the measuringpart 70 to perform optical measurements, as shown in FIG. 3.

The reagent dispensing arm 30 is provided to mix the reagent with thesample within the cuvette 250 by dispensing the reagent within a reagentcontainer (not shown in the drawing) loaded in the rotating part 20 to acuvette 250 which is held in the rotating part 20, as shown in FIGS. 1through 3. A measurement sample is prepared by adding reagent to a bloodsample. The cuvette moving part 60 is provided to move the cuvette 250between the cuvette transporting table 23 of the rotating part 20, andthe measuring part 70.

The measuring part 70 is provided to heat a measurement sample preparedby mixing reagent with a blood sample, receive light over time from themeasurement sample which is irradiated with light of a plurality ofwavelengths emitted from the lamp unit 40, and obtain opticalinformation over time at the various light wavelengths. Specifically,the measuring part 70 obtains the amount of transmission light over timeperiods using light of several types emitted from the lamp unit 40.

The control board 7 is disposed below the measuring part 70. The controlboard 7 functions to control the operation of the detecting device 5,transporting device 2 and the like, and processes and stores opticalinformation (electrical signals) output from the measuring part 70. Thecontrol board 7 includes a CPU 7 a, memory 7 b and the like. The CPU 7 acontrols the drivers 300 of the various devices provided in theapparatus body (detecting device 5, transporting device 2 and the like).The value of the barcode 201 a of the rack 201, which is read by thebarcode reader, is stored in the memory 7 b.

As shown in FIG. 3, the urgent sample accepter 80 is provided to performsample analysis processing for blood samples that require urgenthandling. The urgent sample accepter 80 of interrupting an urgent samplewhen a blood sample supplied from the transporting device 2 isundergoing sample analysis processing. The fluid part 90 is provided tosupply fluids such as washing fluids and the like to nozzles provided ineach dispensing arm when the sample analyzer 1 performs a shutdownprocess, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

The control device 6 (refer to FIG. 1) is a personal computer (PC), andincludes a controller 6 a configured by a CPU, ROM, RAM and the like, adisplay part 6 b, and keyboard 6 c. The display part 6 b is provided todisplay analysis results (coagulation time) obtained by analyzingdigital signal data transmitted from the measuring part 70.

In the present embodiment, the correspondence between the barcode 201 aadhered to the rack 201, and the blood collection tube 200 held in therack 201 can be set in the control device 6. Specifically, thecorrespondence between the type of blood collection tube, the value ofthe identifier and the position of the blood collection tube identifierin the barcode 201 a adhered to the rack 201 can be set in a settingscreen 6 d displayed on the display part 6 b, as shown in FIG. 11. Theidentifier value is settable to a maximum of ten types (0 through 9). Inthe example of FIG. 11, the type of blood collection tube held in therack 201 is identified as the [default] type when the second digit valueis [1] in a barcode of the rack 201 which has a six digit value.

The structure of the control device 6 is described below. As shown inFIG. 10, the control device 6 is configured by a computer 601 whichmainly includes a controller 6 a, display part 6 b, and keyboard 6 c.The controller 6 a is mainly configured by a CPU 601 a, ROM 601 b, RAM601 c, hard disk 601 d, reading device 601 e, I/O interface 601 f,communication interface 601 g, and image output interface 601 h. The CPU601 a, ROM 601 b, RAM 601 c, hard disk 601 d, reading device 601 e, I/Ointerface 601 f, communication interface 601 g, and image outputinterface 601 h are connected by a bus 601 i.

The CPU 601 a is capable of executing computer programs stored in theROM 601 b, and computer programs loaded in the RAM 601 c. The computer601 functions as the control device 6 when the CPU 601 a executes anapplication program 604 a, which is described later.

The ROM 601 b is configured by a mask ROM, PROM, EPROM, EEPROM or thelike, and stores computer programs executed by the CPU 601 a, as well asdata and the like used in conjunction therewith.

The RAM 601 c is configured by SRAM, DRAM or the like. The RAM 601 c isused when reading the computer program recorded in the ROM 601 b and onthe hard drive 601 d. The RAM 601 c is further used as a work area ofthe CPU 601 a when these computer programs are being executed.

The hard drive 601 d contains various installed computer programs to beexecuted by the CPU 601 a such as an operating system and applicationprograms and the like, as well as data used in the execution of thesecomputer programs. Also installed on the hard disk 601 d is theapplication program 604 a used in the blood coagulation time measurementin the present embodiment.

The reading device 601 e is configured by a floppy disk drive, CD-ROMdrive, DVD-ROM drive or the like, and is capable of reading the computerprograms and data stored on a portable recording medium 604.Furthermore, the portable recording medium 604 may also store theapplication program 604 a in the present embodiment; the computer 601 iscapable of reading the application program 604 a from the portablerecording medium 604 and installing the application program 604 a on thehard disk 601 d.

Not only may the application program 604 a be provided by the portablerecording medium 604, the application program 604 a also may be providedfrom a communication-capable external device connected to the computer601 by an electric communication line (wire line or wireless) so as tobe transmitted over the electric communication line. For example, theapplication program 604 a may be stored on the hard disk of a servercomputer connected to the internet, such that the computer 601 a canaccess the server computer and download the application program 604 a,and then install the application program 604 a on the hard disk 601 d.

Also installed on the hard disk 601 d is an operating system providing agraphical user interface, such as, for example, Windows (registeredtrademark) of Microsoft Corporation, U.S.A. In the followingdescription, the application program 604 a of the present embodimentoperates on such an operating system.

The I/O interface 601 f is configured by a serial interface such as aUSB, IEEE1394, RS232C or the like, parallel interface such as SCSI, IDE,IEEE1284 or the like, analog interface such as a D/A converter, A/Dconverter or the like. The keyboard 6 c is connected to the I/Ointerface 601 f, such that a user can input data in the computer 601using the keyboard 6 c.

The communication interface 601 g is, for example, and Ethernet(registered trademark) interface. The computer 601 can send and receivedata to and from the detecting device 52 using a predeterminedcommunication protocol via the communication interface 601 g.

The image output interface 601 h is connected to the display part 6 bconfigured by an LCD, CRT or the like, such that image signalscorresponding to the image data received from the CPU 601 a can beoutput to the display 6 b. The display part 6 b displays an image(screen) in accordance with the input image signals.

The application program 604 a used for blood coagulation timemeasurement, which is installed on the hard disk 601 d of the controller6 a, measures the coagulation time of a blood sample using the amount oftransmission light (digital signal data) of the measurement sampletransmitted from the measuring part 70 of the detecting device 5. Thiscoagulation time is the time from the addition of the reagent forcoagulating the blood sample in the cuvette 250 until the measurementsample (the blood sample with added reagent) loses fluidity (coagulationtime). The coagulation reaction during which the measurement sampleloses fluidity is a reaction in which fibrinogen in the blood sample ischanged to fibrin by the added reagent. In the sample analyzer 1 of thepresent embodiment, the coagulation reaction, which is dependent on theamount of fibrinogen in the blood sample, is confirmed by the amount ofchange in the transmission light of the measurement sample (thedifference between the amount of transmission light before the reactionand the amount of transmission light after the reaction).

FIG. 12 is a flow chart illustrating the analyzing operation of thepresent embodiment of the sample analyzer 1. The analyzing operation ofthe sample analyzer 1 of the present embodiment is described below withreference to FIGS. 1, 4, and 12.

The sample analyzer 1 is first initialized in step S1 by turning ON thepower sources of the control device 6 and the apparatus body of theanalyzer 1 (detecting device 5 and the like) shown in FIG. 1. Thus, thesoftware stored in the controller 6 a of the control device 6 isinitialized, and an operation is performed to return each dispensing armand the devices for moving the cuvettes 250 to their initial positions.

In the transporting device 3 shown in FIG. 4, the rack 201 placed in therack set region 2 a is moved in the arrow A direction to the sampleaspirating region 2 b by sliding on the pair of hook members 2 d in stepS2. Then, in step S2 of FIG. 12, the barcode 200 a of the bloodcollection tubes 200, and the barcode 201 a of the rack 201 are read bythe barcode reader in the sample aspirating region 2 b. The reading ofthe barcode is described in detail below.

The rack 201 that has been moved to the sample aspirating region 2 b isfirst transported one blood collection tube at a time in the arrow Bdirection by the hook member 2 f. In parallel with the transporting ofthe rack 201 in the arrow B direction, the barcode reader 3 reads thebarcode 200 a of the blood collection tube 200 held in the rack 201 aswell as the barcode 201 a of the rack 201 as the rack 201 slides in theD direction. The rack identifying information that identifies the rackis obtained by reading the barcode 201 a of the rack 201. The rackidentifying information includes a container type identifier thatidentifies the type of the blood collection tube 200 held in the rack201. Information concerning the sample (blood) contained in the bloodcollection tube 200 is obtained by reading the barcode 200 a of theblood collection tube 200. The barcode 200 a of the blood collectiontube 200 is read twice. That is, the barcode reader 3 reads the barcode200 a of the blood collection tube 200 and the barcode 201 a of the rack201 as they slide along until the final blood collection tube 200containing sample to be aspirated has moved to the aspirating positionP. Prior to aspiration, the barcode reader 3 rereads the barcode of theblood collection tube 200 that contains the sample to be aspirated. Thesecond reading verifies the sample to be aspirated.

In step S4, the type of blood collection tube 200 is identified.Specifically, the control board 7 refers to the correspondence betweenthe type of blood collection tube and the container type identifier setin the control device 6, and identifies the type of blood collectiontube 200 that corresponds to the container type identifier of thebarcode 201 a read from the rack 201. The correspondence between theblood collection tube type and the container type identifier is set onthe setting screen 6 d shown in FIG. 11.

In step S5, the stop range during which the fluid level detectionfunction of the sensor 4 is stopped, the lower limit positioncorresponding to the lower limit value of the minimum amount of samplenecessary for measurement, and the amount of descent of the pipette 33from the fluid level are determined. These values are determined inaccordance with the type of blood collection tube 200 identified in stepS4. The control board 7 obtains these values (stop range, lower limitposition, and amount of descent) from the controller 6 a of the controldevice 6.

In step S6, the control board 7 aspirates the sample via the auxiliarydevice 35 and sample dispensing arm 30 based on the obtained stop range,lower limit position, and amount of descent. The sample aspiratingoperation will be described in detail later.

In step S7, the aspirated sample is analyzed. The sample analysisoperation is described in detail below. In step S6, the sample which hasbeen aspirated by the sample dispensing arm 30 is first dispensed to acuvette 250 on the cuvette transporting table 23 of the rotating part20, as shown in FIG. 3. The cuvette 250 that contains the sample istransported near the measuring part 70 by rotating the cuvettetransporting table 23. Then, the cuvette 250 is moved to the measuringpart 70 by the cuvette moving part 60. Reagent from the reagentcontainer (not shown in the drawing) on the reagent table of therotating part 20 is dispensed by the reagent dispensing arm 50 to thecuvette 250 that contains the sample. Thus, a measurement sample isprepared by mixing reagent and sample. The measurement sample isoptically measured in the measuring part 70 by irradiating themeasurement sample with light from the lamp unit 40, and the measurementresult is obtained by the CPU 7 a of the control board 7. Thereafter,the measurement result is sent from the control board 7 to the controldevice 6, and the control device 6 analyzes the measurement resultfinally, the control device 6 displays the analysis result is on thedisplay part 6 b, which ends the analysis performed by the sampleanalyzer of the present embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a flow chart illustrating the sample aspirating operation bythe sample dispensing arm of the sample analyzer of the presentembodiment. FIGS. 14 through 16 illustrate details of the control of theaspirating operation performed by the control board 7. The sampleaspirating operation performed by the sample dispensing arm 30 of thepresent embodiment of the sample analyzer 1 is described below withreference to FIGS. 2, 4, 9, and FIGS. 13 through 16.

As shown in FIG. 4, the blood collection tubes 200 that contain thesamples are transported one tube at a time in the arrow B direction bythe hook member 2 f in the sample aspirating region 2 b of thetransporting device 2. As shown in step S11 of FIG. 13, a determinationis made at this time as to whether or not the transmission type sensor 4provided above the sample aspirating region 2 b has detected a cap 200 bon the blood collection tube 200. Then, the blood collection tube 200 ismoved to the aspirating position P after the presence or absence of thecap 200 b has been determined by the sensor 4. The sample dispensing arm30 rotates to a position at which the pipette 33 is above the aspiratingposition P. When the sensor 4 has not detected a cap 200 b, the routinecontinues to step S16, and the pipette 33 starts to descend with a weakforce. Specifically, the arm 31 and pipette 33 of the sample dispensingarm 30 disposed above the aspirating position P are moved downward(arrow F direction in FIG. 2) by the drive part 32 of the sampledispensing arm 30. When the pipette 33 starts to descend, the routinemoves to step S17. When, however, the sensor 4 has detected the presenceof a cap 200 b, the fluid level sensor 34 is turned OFF in step S12.

In step S13, the pipette 33 of the sample dispensing arm 30 starts todescend with a weak force. Specifically, the engaging member 35 a of theauxiliary device 35 slides in the E1 direction in FIG. 9, and engagesthe arm 31 of the sample dispensing arm 30 positioned over theaspirating position P, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 9. Then, the arm 31 withthe pipette 33 mounted thereon descends integratedly with the engagingmember 35 a in the arrow F direction by the drive part 35 b (refer toFIG. 9) of the auxiliary device 35 that has a stronger drive force thanthe drive part 32 of the sample dispensing arm 30. At this time thedrive part 32 of the sample dispensing arm 30 does not operate, and thearm 31 and pipette 33 descend only via the force of the drive part 35 bof the auxiliary device 35. The cap 200 b of the blood collection tube200 is pierced by the sharply cut tip of the pipette 33 via the descentof the pipette 33 under a strong force, and the sample within the bloodcollection tube 200 can be aspirated.

In step S14, a determination is made as to whether or not the tip of thepipette 33 is below the stop region of the fluid level sensor 34determined in accordance with the type of blood collection tube 200. Thestop range of the fluid level sensor 34 is the range from the initialposition from which the pipette 33 starts to descend to a position apredetermined distance below the bottom surface of the cap 200 b. Whenthe tip of the pipette 33 is within the stop range, steps S13 and S14are repeated. However, when the tip of the pipette 33 is below the stoprange, the fluid level sensor is turned on in step S15, and the routinemoves to step S17.

In step 17, a determination is made as to whether or not the fluid levelsensor 34 has detected the fluid level of the sample. Specifically,whether or not there has been a change in the electrostatic capacitanceis detected by fluid level detecting board 34 a connected by wire (notshown in the drawing) to the pipette 33 when the tip of the metalpipette 33 in the air contacts the surface of the fluid. When the fluidlevel is detected, the routine moves to step S20. However, when thefluid level is not detected, the tip of the pipette 33 descends belowthe lower limit position (refer to FIG. 15) determined in accordancewith the type of blood collection tube 200 in step S18. This lower limitcorresponds to the amount of sample that ensures an aspiration amountnecessary to measure the sample. That is, since the blood collectiontube 200 does not contain the amount of sample required for measurementwhen the tip of the pipette 33 is positioned below the lower limit andthe fluid level has not been detected, and error is generated in stepS19, an error display is shown on the display part 6 b of the controldevice 6 and a warning sound is generated. In this case, the aspiratingoperation is terminated for the blood collection tube 200 that hasgenerated the error, and an aspirating operation is started for the nextblood collection tube 200. However, when the tip of the pipette 33 ispositioned above the lower limit, steps S17 and S18 are repeated untilan error occurs in the fluid level detection.

When the fluid level is detected in step S17, a determination is made instep S20 as to whether or not the position of the detected fluid levelis within the normal range (refer to FIG. 15). The normal range is thequantity range of normally collected sample during blood collection.When a collected sample quantity is not in the normal range in the bloodcollection tube 200, accurate measurement can not be performed becausethe ratio of anticoagulant added beforehand to the blood collection tube200 to prevent coagulation is not normal relative to the amount ofblood. When the position of the detected fluid level is in the normalrange, the routine moves to step S22. However, the user is alerted whenthe fluid level is not in the normal range, because it is difficult toobtain an accurate measurement result. After the warning, the routinemoves to step S22.

In step S22, the pipette 33 is stopped at a position (descent position)descended a predetermined amount from the fluid level position detectedin step S17. The descent amount (refer to FIG. 16) is determined inaccordance with the type of blood collection tube 200, and correspondsto the amount of sample to be aspirated in a single aspiration. In stepS23, sample is aspirated by the pipette 33. The amount of sampleadhering to the outer surface of the pipette 33 can be minimized byaspirating sample when the pipette 33 is descended only the descentamount from the fluid level position. This is the manner in which sampleis aspirated in the present embodiment.

In the present embodiment described above, a blood collection tube typeidentifier of a blood collection tube 200 held in a rack 201 can beobtained by reading the barcode 201 a of the rack 201 via a barcodereader 3 that reads the blood collection tube type identifier from thebarcode 201 a of the rack 201. An operation to re-adhering the barcode200 a of the blood collection tube 200 is unnecessary because the typeof blood collection tube 200 can be identified by the blood collectiontube type identifier obtained from the barcode 201 a of the rack 201.Thus, reduced testing efficiency is prevented. Moreover, there is noneed to identify the shape (height and the like) of the blood collectiontube 200 itself via sensors or complex controls since the shape of theblood collection tube 200 is identified when the barcode reader 3 simplyreads the blood collection tube type identifier from the barcode 201 aof the rack 201. Therefore, the apparatus is simplified.

In the present embodiment described above, the pipette 33 is lowered aminimum required descent amount from the fluid level to aspirate asample by determining the descent distance the pipette 33 is to descendfrom the fluid surface then lowering the pipette 33 below the fluidlevel by this determined descent amount based on the blood collectiontube type identifier read from the barcode 201 a of the rack 201.

In the present embodiment described above, measuring an insufficientamount of sample can be prevented when there is an insufficient amountof sample needed for measurement available in the blood collection tube200 because the aspiration operation is suspended and designated anerror when the lower limit position of the fluid level of a sampleneeded for aspiration is determined and the pipette tip descends belowthe lower limit without the fluid level sensor 34 detecting the fluidlevel position based on the blood collection tube type identifier readfrom the barcode 201 a of the rack 201.

In the present embodiment described above, whether or not a bloodcollection tube 200 contains a normal amount of sample to be aspiratedcan be easily determined by determining whether or not the amount ofsample in a blood collection tube 200 is adequate based on thecomparison result obtained by determining a predetermined normal amountrange for samples based on the blood collection tube type identifierread from the barcode 201 a of the rack 201, and comparing thepredetermined normal amount and the fluid level position detected by thesensor.

In the present embodiment described above, when the fluid level positionof a sample is outside the normal amount range, the user is able torecognize that the sample in the blood collection tube 20 is not anormal amount by the issued warning.

In the present embodiment described above, the stop range for stoppingthe detection function of the fluid level sensor 34 is determined basedon the blood collection tube type identifier read from the barcode 201 aof the rack 201 when the blood collection tube 200 is provided with acap 200 b to prevent the fluid level sensor 34 from erroneously detectedfluid (sample and the like) adhering to the cap 200 b as the fluid levelposition when fluid (sample and the like) adhere to the cap 200 b bystopping the detection function of the fluid level sensor 34 until thefluid level sensor 34 is below the stop range.

The embodiments in this disclosure are not limited to the examples inany aspects. The scope of the present invention is expressed in thescope of the claims and not in the description of the embodiments, andincludes all modifications within the scope of the claims and allmeanings and equivalences appertaining thereto.

For example, although the above embodiment uses an example ofdetermining the presence or absence of a cap 200 b of a blood collectiontube 200 by a transmission type sensor 34, the present invention is notlimited to this method inasmuch as a value for determining the presenceor absence of a cap on a blood collection tube loaded in a rack may beincluded in the barcode of the rack. Thus, the presence or absence of acap on a blood collection tube can be determined by a value in a barcoderead by a barcode reader without providing a sensor to detect the cap.

Although the above embodiment uses an example of a slidable barcodereader that reads the barcodes of blood collection tubes and rack whilesliding, the present invention is not limited to this method inasmuch asthe barcode reader may be stationary.

Although the above embodiment is described by way of an example in whicha transporting device 2 is provided to transport a rack 201 containingblood collection tube 200 to the sample analyzer 1, the presentinvention is not limited to this arrangement inasmuch as a transportingdevice may be provided separately from the sample analyzer.

Although the above embodiment is described by way of an exampleproviding a barcode reader 3 in the sample analyzer 1 to read thebarcode 201 a and barcode 200 a of the rack 201 and the blood collectiontubes 200, the present invention is not limited to this arrangementinasmuch as the barcode of the rack may be read by a barcode readerprovided outside the sample analyzer, and the values of the read barcodemay be received by a receiver. Such a configuration can also identifythe type of blood collection tubes loaded in a rack.

Although the above embodiment is described by way of an example in whicha barcode 201 a is read by a barcode reader 3 and this barcode 201 arecords rack identifying information that identifies a rack 201 in orderto identify the type of blood collection tubes loaded in the rack 201,this barcode 201 a is adhered to the rack 201, and this barcode 201 aincludes in the rack identifying information a blood collection tubetype identifier to identify the type of blood collection tubes, thepresent invention is not limited to this arrangement inasmuch as rackidentifying information may be magnetically recorded on the rack 201 andread by a magnetic reading device. Even when a blood collection tubetype identifier is not included in the rack identifying information, atable which represents the correspondence between a rack identified inrack identifying information and the type of blood collection tubeloaded in that rack may be stored on the apparatus side, such that thetype of corresponding blood collection tube can be determined from therack identifying information by referencing this table.

Although the above embodiment has been described by way of an example inwhich one type of blood collection tube containing sample is loaded in asingle rack, the present invention is not limited to this arrangementinasmuch as a plurality of types of blood collection tubes may be loadedin a single rack insofar as the blood collection tubes have mutuallysimilar shapes.

The foregoing detailed description and accompanying drawings have beenprovided by way of explanation and illustration, and are not intended tolimit the scope of the appended claims. Many variations in the presentlypreferred embodiments illustrated herein will be obvious to one ofordinary skill in the art, and remain within the scope of the appendedclaims and their equivalents.

1. A sample analyzer comprising: a transporting device configured totransport a rack for holding a plurality of containers containingsamples respectively, the rack comprising a recording part in whichidentifying information is recorded, the identifying informationcomprising a container type identifier that identifies a type ofcontainer held by the rack; a reading device configured to read theidentifying information from the recording part of the rack transportedby the transporting device; an aspirating device comprising anaspirating tube and a moving device configured to move the aspiratingtube in a direction to insert the aspirating tube in a container; acontroller configured to determine, based on the identifying informationread by the reading device, an insertion position for inserting theaspirating tube to aspirate a sample in a container and to control themoving device to execute an insert movement by inserting the aspiratingtube in the container at the determined insertion position; and ananalyzing part configured to analyze the sample aspirated by theaspirating device, wherein the controller is configured to control themoving device such that the moving device executes the insert movementfor each of the plurality of containers held by the rack based on theidentifying information read by the reading device.
 2. The sampleanalyzer according to claim 1, further comprising a detecting deviceconfigured to detect a fluid level position in the container, whereinthe moving device is further configured to move the aspirating tube invertical directions; and the controller is further configured todetermine, based on the identifying information ready by the readingdevice, descent amount value, and to control the moving device so thatthe aspirating tube descends into the container below the fluid level bythe determined descent amount value.
 3. The sample analyzer according toclaim 2, wherein the controller is further configured to determine,based on the identifying information read by the reading device, a lowerlimit position value and to control the aspirating device so as tosuspend the aspirating operation when the aspirating tube has movedbelow the lower limit position value without detecting fluid level bythe detecting device.
 4. The sample analyzer according to claim 1,further comprising a detecting device configured to detect a fluid levelposition in the container, wherein the controller is further configuredto: determine, based on the identifying information read by the readingdevice, whether or not the container is a closed container; and based ona determination that the container is a closed container: determine astop range for stopping detecting the fluid level based on theidentifying information read by the reading device; and cause thedetecting device to stop detecting the fluid level until the aspiratingtube descends through the stop range.
 5. The sample analyzer accordingto claim 1, wherein the controller is further configured to determine,based on the identifying information read by the reading device, whetheror not the container is a closed container, and to control operation ofthe aspirating device based on the determination result.
 6. The sampleanalyzer according to claim 1, wherein the sample is a blood sample. 7.A sample analyzer comprising: a transporting device for transporting arack for holding a plurality of containers containing samplesrespectively, the rack comprising a recording part in which a containertype identifier identifying a type of containers held by the rack isrecorded; a reading device for reading the container type identifierfrom the recording part of the rack transported by the transportingdevice; an aspirating device comprising an aspirating tube and a movingdevice configured to move the aspirating tube in a direction to insertthe aspirating tube in a container; a controller for: determining, basedon the container type identifier, an insertion position for insertingthe aspirating tube to aspirate a sample in a container; controlling themoving device to execute an insert movement by inserting the aspiratingtube in the container at the determined insertion position; and ananalyzing part for analyzing the sample aspirated by the aspiratingdevice, wherein the controller controls the moving device such that themoving device executes the insert movement for each of the plurality ofcontainers held by the rack based on the container type identifier readby the reading device.